Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy A04. We've got a classic matchup here: a flagship contender versus an entry-level option. The specs tell a clear story, but let's break it down to see what it really means for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed breakdown of the key specifications, along with a real-world implications column to explain what these numbers actually mean:
| Feature | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy A04 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-08 | 2022-10-10 | A04 is slightly newer, but the age difference isn't significant |
| Physical Size | 161.8 x 73.5 x 8.4 mm | 164.4 x 76.3 x 9.1 mm | The A04 is slightly larger and bulkier. Motorola is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 198.5g | 192g | Both are relatively light, with the A04 being slightly lighter. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.5" | The Edge 30 Ultra has a slightly larger screen for immersive content. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 720 x 1600 | The Edge 30 Ultra offers much sharper, crisper visuals. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 395 | 270 | The Edge 30 Ultra's display is significantly sharper; text and images will appear clearer. |
| Technology | P-OLED | PLS LCD | P-OLED offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 60Hz | The Edge 30 Ultra has much smoother animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1250 nits | 0 nits | The Edge 30 Ultra is much better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | Helio P35 | The Edge 30 Ultra has a flagship-level processor, vastly outperforming the A04. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,231,300 | 124,000 | The Edge 30 Ultra is significantly faster, making it better for games, multitasking, and demanding applications. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | PowerVR GE8320 | The Edge 30 Ultra's GPU handles graphics-intensive tasks much better. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res. | 200MP | 50MP | The Edge 30 Ultra has much higher resolution for more detailed photos. |
| Main Aperture | f/1.95 | f/1.8 | The A04 might fare slightly better in low-light situations, but not by much due to the sensor differences. |
| Selfie Camera Res. | 60MP | 5MP | The Edge 30 Ultra's selfie camera has much higher resolution and will perform much better. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP | None | The Edge 30 Ultra offers optical zoom capabilities not available on the A04. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP | None | The Edge 30 Ultra offers ultrawide capabilities. |
| Portrait Lens | None | 2MP | The A04 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps | 1080p@30fps | The Edge 30 Ultra can record at much higher resolutions, including 8K. |
| Camera Features | Advanced, 8k video, OIS, RAW, Night Mode | Basic, dual camera | The Edge 30 Ultra offers a far more versatile photography experience. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4610mAh | 5000mAh | The A04 has slightly larger capacity, potentially offering slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 125W Fast Charging | Standard | The Edge 30 Ultra has much faster charging, topping up your battery in minutes. |
| Wireless Charging | 50W Wireless Fast, 10W reverse wireless | None | The Edge 30 Ultra offers the convenience of wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13 | Both run Android but on different versions |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6E | WiFi 5 (ac) | The Edge 30 Ultra offers faster and more stable Wi-Fi connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | The Edge 30 Ultra has the newest standard, better connectivity and battery efficiency. |
| GPS | Advanced GPS | Basic GPS | The Edge 30 Ultra has more accurate and reliable location services. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | Up to 256GB | Up to 128GB | The Edge 30 Ultra offers larger internal storage capacities. |
| RAM | Up to 12GB | Up to 6GB | The Edge 30 Ultra offers significantly more RAM for better multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers the option to expand storage with SD Cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 mics | Basic audio | The Edge 30 Ultra provides a better audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Basic Security Features | The Edge 30 Ultra has better biometric security than the A04. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | The Edge 30 Ultra has better protection for it's screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Advanced suite | Basic suite | The Edge 30 Ultra has more sensors. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra:
- Strengths: This phone is a performance powerhouse with a top-tier chipset, a stunning display, and an impressive camera system, including the groundbreaking 200MP main sensor. It has fast charging and wireless charging, and premium audio.
- Competitive Advantages: Its 144Hz P-OLED display is silky smooth, and the 125W fast charging is a game-changer. The advanced camera capabilities make it a top contender for mobile photography and videography.
- Trade-offs: It has a smaller battery capacity, but that's easily offset by the charging speeds. The price is higher, but that's expected for a phone of this caliber.
Samsung Galaxy A04:
- Strengths: This is a budget-friendly device that covers the basics. It has a decent battery capacity and a relatively large display.
- Competitive Advantages: Its primary advantage is affordability. It's a solid pick for users who need a functional smartphone without breaking the bank.
- Trade-offs: The A04 makes significant compromises in terms of display quality, processing power, camera capabilities, and charging speeds. It's a barebones experience compared to the Edge 30 Ultra.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra:
- Ideal User: Power users, mobile gamers, photographers, videographers, and anyone who values top-tier performance, a stunning display, and advanced features.
- Use Cases: Gaming, high-resolution video recording and editing, intensive multitasking, content consumption, and demanding everyday tasks.
- Recommendation: It's worth the extra cost for those who want the best experience possible.
Samsung Galaxy A04:
- Ideal User: First-time smartphone buyers, users on a very tight budget, people who need a basic phone for calls, texts, and simple tasks.
- Use Cases: Calls, texting, browsing social media, and basic app usage.
- Recommendation: It's a good option if you need a functional phone and don't need to do much besides the basics.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to consider when choosing between these two phones:
What is your budget?
- The Galaxy A04 is significantly cheaper and targets budget-conscious consumers. The Edge 30 Ultra is a premium phone, and therefore has a premium price tag.
What are you going to use the phone for?
- If your primary focus is performance, gaming, content creation, or general demanding use, the Edge 30 Ultra is the obvious choice. If you need the absolute minimum functionality without spending much, the Galaxy A04 will suffice.
How much do you care about screen quality and camera capabilities?
- The Edge 30 Ultra's display and camera tech are vastly superior. If you value a fantastic screen and versatile camera features, this is your pick. If you are not fussy and just need it to work, the A04 will suffice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Power User Scenario: You want the best performance and features and are willing to pay for them, the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is the clear winner.
Budget User Scenario: If you need a basic phone and want to spend as little as possible, the Samsung Galaxy A04 is the way to go.
Balanced User Scenario: If you want a decent phone without breaking the bank, you'll have to look elsewhere, as these two do not target the same segment of the market.
What I Would Choose and Why
If I were choosing a phone for myself, I would absolutely go for the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra. Here's why:
- Performance: As a tech journalist, I frequently run demanding apps and often have multiple tasks going at once. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and ample RAM would ensure seamless performance.
- Display: I value a great screen, and the 144Hz P-OLED display on the Edge 30 Ultra is outstanding. The high refresh rate makes everything feel smooth, and the vibrant colors make the viewing experience much more enjoyable.
- Camera: The 200MP camera is a big draw, and I'm eager to experiment with its capabilities. Having telephoto and ultrawide lenses, coupled with great video capabilities, offers a lot of creative freedom.
- Charging: The 125W fast charging and wireless charging are extremely convenient for my lifestyle. I love the idea of quickly topping up the battery when needed.
- Features: As someone who values technology, I want my phone to have the best of the best.
While the Samsung Galaxy A04 is a budget-friendly option, it's simply not in the same league. I would be frustrated by the slower performance and lower-quality display on that phone. For me, the premium features and significantly improved performance of the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra are worth the additional cost. It is a better and more complete package for my use case.
